Wharf Distillery
Wharf Distillery is a small artisan distillery based in Potterspury and Towcester, Northamptonshire — close to the Silverstone racing circuit in the English Midlands. One of England's smallest whisky producers, Wharf handcrafts a wide range of spirits in traditional copper pot stills, with an ethos of small-batch quality applied equally to whisky, apple brandy, gin, vodka, rum, and liqueurs. The business was founded in 2009 by Laurence and Alice, beginning as a cider-making venture called Virtual Orchard before evolving into a full distillery operation.
[!warning] Founded year The wiki previously listed the founding year as 2011. Press sources and the distillery's own account indicate the business began in 2009 when Laurence started the Virtual Orchard cider venture in Milton Keynes. Frontmatter updated to 2009.
Tours
Available
On-site Shop
Open
Online Shop
Available
History
Laurence founded Virtual Orchard in 2009, starting cider production from his back garden in Milton Keynes — a hands-on, farm-craft approach to fermented beverages that would eventually develop into full-scale distilling. As skills and equipment expanded, the operation evolved from cider into distilling, with the Wharf Distillery name and brand emerging from that journey.
The distillery relocated to Northamptonshire, establishing itself in Towcester and later Potterspury — a rural Midlands setting with strong agricultural heritage and easy road access to London and the Midlands market. The Silverstone proximity provides a distinct local identity and an annual influx of motorsport visitors. Wharf has grown a reputation as one of the most diverse small distilleries in England, producing an exceptionally broad range of spirits for a facility of its size. Custom distilling and trade services have been added to the commercial offering, providing an additional revenue stream while keeping the craft credentials intact.
Production
Wharf operates traditional copper pot stills in small-batch configurations. Whisky production uses English barley malted to the distillery's specification. Apple brandy is produced from locally sourced English apples, distilled and aged in oak. Gin is produced using a botanical maceration and distillation process in the copper pot stills. Vodka and rum complete the portfolio. Custom and contract distilling is available, with the distillery producing bespoke spirits for other brands and businesses.
Tasting Character
Wharf positions itself as a premium artisan spirits producer. The English single malt whisky is small-batch, non-chill-filtered, and handcrafted — characterised by the soft water of the Northamptonshire landscape and careful oak maturation. Apple brandy reflects the English orchard tradition: fruity, slightly floral, and gently oaked. Gins use botanicals selected to complement the English countryside character of the distillery's location.
What They Produce
Notable Bottlings
- Wharf English Whisky£38.50 — Small-batch single malt English whisky
- Wharf Apple Brandy — English orchard apples, pot-distilled and oak-aged
- Wharf Gin — Artisan craft gin, Northamptonshire botanicals
- Wharf Rum — Small-batch rum expression
- Wharf Vodka — Artisan premium vodka
- Custom / bespoke spirits — Available through the trade and custom distilling programme
Buy their whiskey
2 Wharf Distillery bottles stocked across 2 retailers.
DD
Wharf Distillery FYR DRENC, English Single Malt Grain Spirit, 70cl
£38.50
MoM
POLAR Peppermint Ice Liqueurs
£26.95
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Visiting
Distillery tours are bookable through the website, offering an inside look at a working small distillery. The on-site shop and a deli are at the Potterspury site. Events and tasting experiences are offered, including a Wedding Gin Experience for private events. Full details and booking at wharfdistillery.co.uk.
Official Website
